Love affairs. We’d like them to be bright and breezy, like pompoms and smiles. But they are not. For love affairs, while they have their breezy side, are complex and dark. Well, that’s how it’s been for me in Africa these past few years that have seen me exploring its contours, from Luanda to Lagos. During my travels I discovered I was following in the footsteps of Mary Kingsley, a controversial explorer, who, a century ago, followed the same route.
Three of the English Premiership’s leading managers united in a call for the introduction of video technology to help referees after Tottenham were denied victory over Manchester United by an astonishing blunder by officials at Tuesday night’s Premiership match.
At one end of the market, community newspapers are returning record revenues and seriously challenging the mainstream titles. But there’s another side to this sector, that of the small and independent grassroots publisher. Kevin Bloom looks into the split.
Thomas Enqvist of Sweden upset seventh-seeded Florian Mayer of Germany 6-3, 6-3 on Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals of the Australian men’s hard-court tennis championships. Enqvist, formerly ranked fourth, has slipped to 72 after a series of injuries. But he appeared fit and relaxed at Memorial Drive on Wednesday.
Seven-time world formula-one champion Michael Schumacher leads the pack of sporting donors to victims of last week’s Asian tsunamis, giving a massive -million. ”The dawning of the new year has not been as joyful for us this year because of the catastrophe in Asia,” he said.
In a surprise move Warriors wicketkeeper-batsman Mark Boucher has taken over the captaincy of the Eastern Cape franchise team for the rest of the season and will lead the team against the Titans at Centurion in a four-day SuperSport match starting Thursday.
Two quick wickets before lunch from Nicky Boje had England all but down and out on the fifth and final day of the third Castle Lager/MTN Test at Newlands on Thursday. England went to lunch on 225 for eight — still needing 276 runs to win, but also needing to face two more sessions to survive.
A hand surgeon confirmed on Wednesday that South African swing-bowler Charl Langeveldt has an uncomplicated fracture of the fifth metacarpal on his left hand. Langeveldt sustained the injury on Monday, when a delivery from England’s Andrew Flintoff struck him on the hand on the second day of the third Castle Lager/MTN Test match.
Shaun Pollock grabbed the early wicket of Marcus Trescothick on the fourth morning of the third Castle Lager/MTN cricket Test at Newlands on Wednesday to reinforce South Africa’s dominance over England. The visitors went to lunch on 23 for one wicket, still needing 478 runs for victory.
Former professional soccer player Mark Byrne has been appointed new Santos head coach until the end of the 2004/05 soccer season. He takes over from David Notoane, who was appointed the club’s caretaker coach when Boebie Solomons was dismissed three months ago.